Spode Christmas Tree x 2

"First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. During this beautiful season when we celebrate harvest and Thanksgiving, I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.
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Ours turned out to be a quiet Christmas celebration.  Christmas Eve we were happy to be invited to share dinner with KC and my son-in-love at their bungalow...after attending the Christmas Eve service at their church, where they led the worship music.  It was delightful and focused us on the reason for the season.  Christmas day found us celebrating the most important birthday of the year with a late breakfast at our house, after we returned from our church service.  Sweet Mister and I were thrilled to host KC, David, and a friend of theirs.  Without consultation, KC and I both set our tables with our Spode, "Christmas Tree."  Did you know that Spode, "Christmas Tree" is the number one seller of all patterns?  I just recently learned that little tidbit.

The bungalow was all decked out for the holidays, and  KC set a lovely table for us.

Gold lacquer chargers made a good foundation for the Spode, "Christmas Tree."  The vintage silverplate flatware belonged to my maternal grandmother.  KC is such a good steward of many of her great-grandmothers' treasures.  It brought a smile to my face when she used this lovely old pattern.  I don't know the name or maker.

The bullet wines are their casual crystal from Williams-Sonoma.  The tumblers were from Dollar Tree. 

A pair of sterling candle holders flanked a simple silver mint julep filled with fresh flowers to create the centerpiece.  We had such a wonderful evening.  After dinner, more of KC and David's friends dropped by for dessert and good conversation.  

Late the next morning, KC, David, and one of their friends joined us for a hearty breakfast prepared by the master of breakfast cuisine...Sweet Mister.  The only thing that I did was push down the lever on the toaster.  It was a laid back occasion...the easiest Christmas feast that I can remember.  Keeping with the casual tone, I prepared our birthday table in the breakfast room.

  The Spode, "Christmas Tree" tureen worked well as my centerpiece.  I flanked it with two small white Poinsettias.  I simply wrapped the nursery pots in a wide red ribbon tied in a bow...easy peasy.

A pair of Spode, "Christmas Tree" hurricanes completed the centerpiece.  The coordinating place mats were a gift from a friend many years ago.

The Holly Basket Napkin Rings belonged to my mama, a gift from someone in her weekly bridge group.  I smile each year when I unwrap them.  The red napkins were an eBay purchase. eBay Tip:  These are great hemstitch napkins at an amazing price.  They come in a large variety of colors.  Check out the seller HERE.  We've been using the Retreneau, "Holly Days" gold tone flatware for more than thirty years. Juice and milk were served in the red Fenton, "Empress" goblets and the Spode, "Christmas Tree" goblets.

The Good Lord blessed us with a beautiful sunny Christmas Day to celebrate the birthday of His only begotten Son Jesus.  

I pray that you, too, had a peace-filled Christmas surrounded by family and friends...

...and as the Simpich, "Christmas Carol" dolls remind us...in the words of Tiny Tim..."God bless us everyone!"

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "TABLESCAPE THURSDAY."   Hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 9:00 pm on Wednesdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!   

Reason for the Season!

First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. As the holiday season progresses I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.

Eleven months of the year, our entry hall looks like this...or a variation of this....

But come December, the console table in our foyer experiences a marvelous metamorphosis...

Each Christmas season, I can hardly wait to retrieve our Simpich Nativity Collection from its spot in the Christmas closet in one of the guest rooms.  They've waited all year to take center stage, and now is their time to shine.  To learn a bit more about The Simpich Dolls, check HERE.  

The Simpich Nativity was another generous gift from Sweet Mister many years ago.  I always create this vignette in the foyer.  It's the first the first thing to greet our guests when they come through the front door.

Some years, I lay a base of dried baby's breath over multiple twinkle lights.  This year I tweaked my design a bit by using a large piece of copper mesh fabric over the lights.  In the manger area, I also layered a 'spun gold' material that reminded me of straw.  I really like the glowing effect that it creates.

Mary lovingly cradles this most special baby, and Joseph stands protectively by their side.  The fabrics used for the dolls clothing are wonderful...their clothing was handmade by the artisans in the Simpich Store.

I love that the old shepherd is bringing a lamb as his gift to The Lamb of God.  The young shepherd was not a part of the original grouping.  He was added a few years later, and I was thrilled when Sweet Mister added him to my collection.  

The fabrics used for the Three Wise Men are beautiful...befitting Three Kings of the Orient who traveled afar.  I love the gentle look on the face of the oldest king.

The camel was also a later addition to the collection.  He is made of Olive Wood, and the Simpich family had him imported from Israel.  He's beautifully carved.

"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."  Joshua 24:15.  For our house, Jesus is the reason for the season.  I love that my children were taught that the reason that we give gifts at Christmas is to symbolize the greatest gift of all...the gift that God gave us when he sent His Son.  I would love to think that some day you might walk through our door at Christmas time, and I would have the blessing of sharing our treasured Nativity with you.  As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we pause to give thanks to God for all we received, all He provided for us to give, and for the moments we were in His will and felt closest to Him.  Merry Christmas!

I am linking to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her weekly meme, Metamorphosis Monday. On Sunday evening click the button below to link to all the wonderful bloggers who are participating in Susan's party this week. Thank you, Susan, for providing this marvelous forum.

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  KC is currently the featured artist of the week at http://jivepk.jivewired.com/kcclifford.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!  You can also watch her perform in various YouTube videos.